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Established Camping

Shady Creek

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Join us for Trick or Treat at Shady Creek on Saturday, October 25th from 2-4 pm. Make your camping reservation now to participate in the fun!

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Shady Creek, near Muscatine, Iowa, is a charming campground that sits right along the Mississippi River, offering a serene escape for campers. With spacious sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, it’s an ideal spot for gathering around the fire and enjoying the great outdoors.

The campground is known for its clean facilities, including well-maintained restrooms, which visitors appreciate. Many have commented on the easy access to a boat launch, making it a great choice for those looking to hit the water. As one happy camper noted, “Bathrooms were clean. Easy in and out of the campground. Nice boat launch. Right on the Mississippi.”

For those who enjoy exploring, Shady Creek is conveniently located near Wild Cat Den State Park, where you can find hiking trails and beautiful scenery. Plus, the area is close to local towns, so you can easily grab supplies or check out a farmers market.

While some campers mentioned the nearby train tracks, the overall atmosphere is peaceful and welcoming, thanks in part to the friendly campground hosts. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, Shady Creek offers a lovely spot to unwind and connect with nature.

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Location

Shady Creek is located in Iowa

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Davenport, Iowa, drive west on Highway 22 about 17 miles and turn at the Shady Creek sign.

Address

3550 HWY 22
Muscatine, IA 52761

Coordinates

41.4475 N
90.8772222 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

17 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2025

Beautiful View

Site #12 with electric hookup was in my opinion the best site. Right on the back of the mighty Mississippi. Very clean friendly stay

Site12
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by Donna T., September 6, 2025
Reviewed Sep. 15, 2023

Nice COE CGalong Mississippi River

CG has views of Mississippi River with good amenities: electric, tables, fire rings, RR/showers. Play areas, camp volunteers onsite, wood available, boat ramp, shelter. This is a seasonal cg and has a train track upon entering park. Wild Cat Den State Park just up US61.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by James M., September 15, 2023
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by James M., September 15, 2023
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by James M., September 15, 2023
  • (11) View All
Reviewed May. 25, 2022

Riverside Camping

Wonderful campground along the Mississippi River. Well maintained and very courteous camp host. This is our second stay at this campground.

Site004
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by J&KAllbee , May 25, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2021

Fabulous spot

Great spot on the Mississippi River. Has I known the park beforehand, I would have picked a spot on the river. Still a two hundred foot walk and I am there.

Very clean. I was next to a vault toilet did did use it for a quick #1. Clean and did not have any foul smell.

Level cement pads. Strong Verizon access.

Only negative was that there is a train track real close and a lot of crosses, So you will hear alot of close train horns and they go deep into the night/morning

Site24
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by David D., October 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by David D., October 16, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 13, 2021

Wonderful campground!

This is one of the nicest, cleanest campgrounds! Sites are spacious, bathhouse is spotless, campground host who checked us in was so friendly and welcoming! I loved this campground!

Site9
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Great Location

Spent 2 nights here. Impressed with the cleanliness of the place. Very quiet at night, even though the place was packed. Close to groceries, fuel. We spent a morning at a Farmers Market in Davenport, about 20 miles away.

Site18
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by Bob M., August 1, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2021

Nice CG along Great River Road

This CG is actually on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River and managed by USCOE. Along and off US Highway 22 near Wildcat Den SP and Fairport State Rec Area. Near railroad. Near towns of Buffalo and Muscatine.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by James M., July 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by James M., July 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by James M., July 31, 2021
  • (13) View All
Reviewed Oct. 9, 2020

Pretty Location

Really enjoyed our stay, sites are large and staggered so you aren’t staring at your neighbors and can enjoy the views. The road leading in was very rutted so take it slow , also due to COVID reservations are required , you can drive up but a sign asks you to make one online or call . Cell service was poor for T Mobile and the wait time for a call was 45 min, we tracked down a camp host who was able to get us registered and was very friendly. As stated water is shared by 4 sites and was 30 ft away . $10 with senior pass otherwise $20 Train only went by once!

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2020

Shady Creek COE Park

Very nice park. Easy to navigate, even with big rigs, which there were planty. Never seen a park where every pad was level like this one. Electric was 30/50 at each site and water was dispersed through out the park, but often too far for a hose to reach. Down side is railroad tracks on one side, which came through at 3:30 am blowing his horns, and the Mississippi on the other, a couple during the night with their loud engines. Although they a neat to watch during the day they can be a nuisance during sleep hours. 

All in all we still very much like this park. With the geezer pass we paid $10 for a primo spot (#14). Would definitley stay here again if in the area.

Site14
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by Gary P., September 16, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2020

One of our favorites

What a gem we found in Muscatine Iowa. Level poured pad for RV, electric and nice fire pits. Large sites. Clean restrooms and lots of hot water for Shower. Beautiful views of the Mississippi and most of all quiet.

  • Review photo of Shady Creek by Kathy J., September 3, 2020
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by Kathy J., September 3, 2020
  • Review photo of Shady Creek by Kathy J., September 3, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2020

Quiet and Clean

We lucked out and got a last min campsite for 4th of July weekend. Because we didn't plan ahead well we had to take site # 31 which was actually only available because it was canceled that morning. Even though we didn't have a choice it was still a great spot. It was pretty quiet while we were there, a few kids riding bikes but for the most part it was an older population. We could see multiple fire works shows if we walked around the campground with the neighbors across the street putting on a pretty great "amateur" show. 

Our cell phone provider is Sprint and we had zero service. The campground is close to Muscatine if you need to make a run but far enough out to feel like you're really camping. 

The bath houses were very hot and muggy but they were also very clean. We had a water hook up by us but did not realize that we couldn't use it. Got scolded by the Park Ranger and told it was a no no. 

Over all a great stay and I'm positive we will be back.

Site31
Month of VisitJuly

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a map of Shady Creek Campground in Iowa?

To find a map of Shady Creek Campground, check the Army Corps of Engineers website, as they manage this Mississippi River campground. You can also contact the campground hosts directly for the most current map information. Upon arrival, maps are typically available at the entrance or from the camp host. Since this is a relatively small, well-organized campground with numbered sites, navigation is straightforward even without a detailed map. If planning in advance, the reservation system may provide site maps to help select your spot.

How does Shady Creek Campground compare to Fairport State Recreation Area for camping?

Shady Creek Campground and nearby Fairport State Recreation Area are both located along the Mississippi River, but Shady Creek, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, typically offers more amenities. Shady Creek features level concrete pads, electrical hookups, clean shower facilities, and spacious sites with good privacy. While both areas provide river access, Shady Creek is known for exceptional cleanliness, friendly camp hosts, and well-maintained facilities. Fairport is in close proximity to Shady Creek (they're mentioned together in area guides), but campers often prefer Shady Creek for its superior infrastructure and river views. Both recreation areas are near Wildcat Den State Park, offering additional outdoor activities.

What amenities are available at Shady Creek Campground in Muscatine, Iowa?

Shady Creek Campground offers level concrete pads for RVs, 30/50 amp electrical hookups, and shared water spigots throughout the park. Facilities include clean restrooms with hot showers, vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site. There's a boat ramp for river access and a playground for children. The campground is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and features spacious, well-maintained sites with good separation between neighbors. Firewood is available for purchase, and camp hosts are on-site to assist visitors. Reservations are strongly recommended as this popular Mississippi River campground fills quickly, especially on weekends.

What recreational activities can I enjoy at Shady Creek Recreation Area?

Shady Creek Recreation Area offers numerous activities centered around its Mississippi River location. Fishing is popular, with many visitors enjoying casting from the shoreline. Paddling opportunities abound for kayakers and canoers. The campground provides ideal spots for watching spectacular river sunsets. There's a boat ramp for launching larger watercraft, and the campground's spacious layout includes play areas for children. Nearby Wildcat Den State Park offers additional hiking opportunities. Many campers simply enjoy relaxing at their sites, which offer beautiful views of the Mississippi. The surrounding area also features farmers markets in nearby towns for day trips.